Acting FM Ben-Ami Meets with British PM Blair

Acting Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami made the following statement, at the end of his meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street:

"Britain will not support a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state. Europe is closer to the positions of Israel than it has ever been before. I find that Europe is an active and positive dialogue partner, and we should continue cultivating our ties with Britain and Europe."

Ben-Ami added that Europe should use its influence, in order to persuade the Palestinians to implement the Sharm el-Sheikh understandings immediately, and to end the violence.

Minister Ben-Ami is now on his way to the United States, where he will meet with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and with National Security Adviser Sandy Berger. He will also meet with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.